Household Lore

NZ Truth, Issue 1152, 29 December 1927, Page 15

Household Lore

HOW TO TEST LINEN

IN view of the difference in price be--1 tween linen and cotton it is useful to know how to do this. A simple way is to take a small square of the fabric, wash it well in boiling water, dry it, and then clip it in a little clear salad oil. Press it between blotting paper to remove excess of oil. If the fabric is made of pure linen it will then appear transparent, i£ cotton it remains opaque. If you view the oiled fabric against a black background the linen and cotton, threads in a mixed fabric can be easily distinguished.

When marking linen, put the corner into cold-water starch, wring out and iron until dry. It will make a perfectly smooth surface and you will be able to do your marking- without the unnecessary addition of blots.

To remove iron rust from linen or cotton goods, boil a small quantity of rhubarb and dip in the marked portion of the material.

A little ammonia will be found helpful if too much blue has been used in the rinse water.

The juice of a fresh lemon, rubbed in well, will often remove stains from the tablecloth. It is best, when, possible, to lay the cloth out in the sun to dry.

A little mixed starch added to the last rinse water of white clothes that have been boiled makes ironing easier and gives them a glossy finish.

# * • FELT AND VELOUR HATS

TO clean these, use petrol, and when * dry, rub with Fuller's earth. The result will be surprising, for your hat will be as good as new. * * *

To remove a tight screw touch its head with a hot poker. This causes the screw to expand and when it is cold the screw contracts and will be easily removed.

Never pour cold water on to enamel goods while they are still hot, as it causes the enamel to crack and peel off.

Don't throw away your coffee grounds. Mix them with coal dust and when you have a bright fire put a shovelful of the mixture at the back and press down. # * * To soften shoe polish that has become hard, use a little turpentine. • # * Hot vinegar will remove paint stains from glass. * .# . » SHINY CLOTHES HOLD the clothes in the steam of a kettle until damp, and then brush with a stiff bi'ush. j If very shiny rub very lightly with coarse glass paper. j ' # * * "Warm water and borax will remove fruit stains from silk goods. #* - * Stove polish will last twice as long and give a more brilliant polish if it is turned out of the tin into a small jar and mixed with a little turpentine and vinegar. # # # It is a good plan to burn newspaper in the dustbin every time it is empEqual parts of methylated spirits and water and a little whiting make! an excellent window- cleaner. , ! .* * * Much wear and tear on carpets is saved if the castors of tables and fifeairs are occasionally oiled.